Recruiters have been warned to expect further delays in organisations’ hiring plans due to a landmark court ruling, which says UK’s Parliament must vote on whether to trigger Article 50.

Yesterday, the High Court ruled that government will need to seek Parliament’s approval for triggering Article 50, the process for starting Brexit negotiations with the European Union. The government is to appeal the decision.

According to Omer Simjee, an employment law partner at employment law firm Irwin Mitchell, the uncertainty and delay caused by yesterday’s ruling could see agencies’ clients, already uncertain of how Brexit will affect their businesses, put off investment and making hiring decisions still further.

“Uncertainty and delay are never good for business and some may defer investment and recruitment decisions until the outcome of the vote is known. The only potential upside of the inevitable delay could see more workers from the EU being able to apply for permanent residence in the UK.

“The appeal process will take time and if the Supreme Court does uphold the High Court decision, Theresa May's March timetable will collapse,” Simjee added.

“Ultimately, the government may find that, even if Parliament does vote to trigger Article 50, our future relationship with the EU will also be subject to full Parliamentary control. That might mean that the impact of Brexit will be less severe than might otherwise be the case.”

Christopher Tutton, partner at law firm Constantine Law, agrees, adding even whether Article 50 is triggered at all is now in doubt.

He told Recruiter: “Recruiters are likely to find some hiring decisions postponed as a result. Westminster MPs were largely pro remain, so subject to an appeal against the decision, we will now face a fascinating vote in Parliament where MPs will have to decide to vote in line with their personal views or to reflect the majority view in their constituencies. 

“The Supreme Court will reach a final decision on this case swiftly if it is appealed. Space has already been cleared in the Supreme Court's diary to hear an appeal in December.”

Uncertainty around Brexit has also spread to workers, with a survey from Adecco group brand Badenoch & Clark finding the UK workforce feel less secure in their current roles as a result of the UK’s vote to leave the EU.

The survey findings, released this morning, reveal a third (34%) of the total UK workforce feel less secure in their current roles as a result of Britain’s decision to leave the EU. Four in 10 (42%) feel less positive about their long-term career prospects and (41%) believe their employer will be adversely affected by Brexit.

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